On Tue., May 7, residents of Kansas City, KS, within the area served by the USD 500 school district will vote on whether or not to approve a $420 million bond package to build four new schools, add on to two schools, build a new aquatic center, complete $45.5 million in needed deferred maintenance at some schools, complete $66.5 million in facility improvements at several schools, contribute $20 million to a new downtown public library, and expand the district’s pre-K education capacity.
That’s a lot, but administrators say a lot is needed in a school district with aging buildings. However, a lot of research and discussion went into finalizing the list of projects to be included in the bond issue, including considering input gathered from students, parents, staff, and community members through a facilities assessment survey.
This is a fairly comprehensive facilities improvement program with nearly every school or learning environment in the district having some work completed, except for buildings replaced during the 2016 bond or earlier in the 2000s, and those buildings currently slated for replacement in the next five to seven years.
The school district last passed a bond issue in 2016. Thanks to some creative financing, the bond did not require an increase in the district’s tax levy.
The 2016 bond bought two new elementary schools, two new middle schools, remodeled career academy spaces for middle and high schools, and more.
Very unique to this new bond issue is the inclusion of an aquatic center that will be open for use for all KCK residents and a $20 million contribution to the expansion of the main KCK library.
Aquatic Center
In a city with just one aging and small public swimming pool, the addition of a state-of-the art aquatic center would be a great asset to the community.
However, with the Wyandotte Unified Government struggling financially, adding the center to the bond issue might be the only way any kind of addition to the city’s aquatic capacity might become a reality in the foreseeable future.
Three of the district’s high schools currently have pools but only one is sized to host competitive events.
The new facility would be able to handle aquatic competitions for all of the high schools, and it would be available for swimming classes and enjoyment.
A location for the center is not specified in the bond issue. If the bond passes, the district will work with the Unified Government Parks and Recreation Dept. to discuss how the two entities can partner to manage and use the facility for the benefit of the entire KCK community.
Contribution to New Public Library
The city’s current downtown library is more than 60 years old and inadequate in many ways, one of which is most hampering to almost anyone who drives to the facility: the lack of parking.
But the library’s shortcomings are many, which led the library board of directors, after considerable professional analysis, to vote to replace the library.
The estimated cost to build the 21st Century Library is $60 million.
The current library board has $20 million set aside for the construction project. The passage of the bond would allow an additional contribution up to $20 million for the project, and the library committee is committed to raising the $20 million balance.
This project replaces only the downtown public library and does not impact the four branch libraries.
More Bond Issue Specifics
Here are a few more specifics on items included in the bond issue:
New Schools
Emerson and New Stanley Elementary Schools combined
Silver City and Noble Prentis Elementary combined
Lindbergs and Eugene Ware Elementary combined
New Argentine Middle School
New Central Middle School
New Additions to Schools
M. E. Pearson and Whittier Elementary Schools would get new editions replacing mobile units being used due to overcrowding.
Building Expansion Projects
J. C. Harmon – gym addition
F. L. Schlagle – gym addition
Transportation South – office addition and renovations
Elementary, Middle and High School Upgrades:
Interior finish upgrades
Movable furniture, fixtures, and equipment & technology upgrades
Special education improvements
Accessibility upgrades
Exterior upgrades
Pool upgrade (high schools only)
Auditorium upgrades
Vote NO. This isn’t a vote against public education (that’s another topic!) this is a vote against throwing money at a problem that isn’t the root of the problem.
When I asked Dr. Anna Stubblefield if the bond would use the funds to renovate and build new schools modeled after Sumner Academy, she said no.
In the bond propaganda they tout Sumner as a HUGE success story even though it’s one of the oldest buildings in the district.
Instead, they want to take several pairs of VERY low performing schools and combine them each into a combined, very low performing school.
Yes, new facilities and maintenance are important, but that’s not the issue.
Vote NO and send this back to the drawing board and focus on the staff and get back to reading, writing and arithmetic, not shiny new buildings.